Babyface Talks New Album & Why He Loves The Weeknd

Image Courtesy James Minchin III/UniversalBabyface has always been a supporter of R&B so it should come as no surprise that his new album, Return of the Tender Lover, is continuing where he left off on his breakthrough LP, 1989’s Tender Lover.

“I like to call it the subtitle of this record ‘Unapologetic R&B,’” he tells Billboard. “It doesn’t have to be the kind of hi-hats or kick or 808s [sound]. It’s just going to be a real drummer, bass player, guitar player, piano player. It’s going to feel real good based off of musicianship.”

Speaking of the genre, the legendary singer also has respect for modern R&B music, from acts like The Weeknd.

“I do love the Weeknd, and I love how, whoever he’s working with, they’re using pieces of R&B with other things that feel really great,” Babyface notes. “It’s promising in the sense that I think there are other unknowns that will come forward and get back to being musicians. I think more than anything, what I miss is the musicians being part of the process.”

While Return of the Tender Lover won’t arrive until November, you can download his new single “We’ve Got Love” on digital retailers now.